Orchid Laeliocattleya Veldorado Polka

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of orchid, more particularly a Laeliocattleya hybrid plant having flowers of large size and clear coloring with flowers erectly carried on strong sprays. The new variety is distinct from siblings of its grex by its outstanding vigorous plant structure as well as freedom of bloom and the carriage of its flowers. Of primary note with this cultivar is the brilliance of yellow coloring of the flower in contrast to the intensity of the dark maroon color of the labellum.

DISCOVERY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The orchid of this application was discovered by the undersigneddiscoverer as an outstanding member of a large sibling population of thehybrid Laeliocattleya Veldorado (herein abbreviated as Lc. Veldorado).In 1970, Lc. Veldorado was developed in the orchid nursery of Vacherotand Lecoufle at Boissy St. Leger in France. It was made by crossing Lc.Amber Glow×Lc. Colibri. Lc. Amber Glow was the pod parent (motherplant). The resultant grex of this mating was named Lc. Veldorado andwas registered by the Vacherot & Lecoufle Nursery with the Orchid HybridRegistration Committee in London, England in 1976 and published in the1976-80 volume of Sanders' Orchid Hybrids. The new orchid was registeredas by "PFF. V. & L. cross; Lc. Veldorado".

In July, 1976, the new variety appeared as a single outstanding plantamong a large population of siblings of Lc. Veldorado, all cultivatedand blooming at the nursery in St. Leger, France. The plant of the newvariety was immediately recognizable as superior in its flowering andgeneral growth habit to all members of the large population of thehybrid group Lc. Veldorado. After the new variety had been observed fora period of time, its other features of superior growth and flowerstructure were also noted.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

After its discovery in July, 1976, the original plant was placed in thelaboratories of Vacherot & Lecoufle. During the years since 1976, anumber of plants of the new cultivar have been asexually produced by themeristem tissue culture process. Portions of tissue called meristemscomprised of unspecialized cells, capable of later differentiation, werecut from the plant and developed, under carefully controlled sterileconditions into new individual plants. This has been an ongoing processto cultivate this exceptional variety. The population thus produced iscarried under the Code Number OT1Br.

All of the propagations reproduced true to the original in both plant,flower and other characteristics. A substantial cross section haveflowered. They are exactly the same as the mother clone, with no signsof mutation. All plants of the new variety have continued to be readilydistinguishable from both parentage and all other siblings of Lc.Veldorado in flower quality, plant growth habit and othercharacteristics. The new variety has been designated as Lc. Veldoradocultivar var. `Polka`.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The lower photograph is a close-up view of flowers of Lc. Veldorado`Polka`. The upper photograph shows the plant growth habit to show thevigor, size of the plant and general characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The plant and flowers are illustrated in the color photographsaccompanying this application. In some respects, the plant is typical ofa yellow Laeliocattleya hybrid. However, because of the difficulty inobtaining yellow Laeliocattleyas of outstanding growth, reliability ofbloom and disease resistance, it is unique in these respects. Itsstrap-like, coriacious leaves are erectly carried and of ovatelanceolate shape. The average leaf is 25 centimeters to 32 centimeterslong. They are broader than most yellow Laeliocattleya hybrids. Theplant attains a growth on maturity of 35 centimeters to 45 centimeters.However, the plant develops a structure of superior and unusual strengthand resilience in all of its parts. The rhizome which joins thepseudobulbs of the plant is moderately short compared to many cattleyaswhich permits a number of bulbs with leaves in a smaller pot.Additionally, it is the nature of this cultivar to develop more than onenew growth from the dormant eyes at the base of the pseudobulbs. Thegrowth is naturally erect without any need to support the leaves andflower stems which is highly advantageous under normal conditions. Thestrong flower sprays are borne from the axils of the growth and are ofsuperior strength, generally flowering well without supplementarysupport. Its flowering habit is dependable. The flowers develop fromsheaths in the spring and summer growth. Many plants bloom again in thelate summer and into the fall. The plants are exceptionally hardy incomparison with similar yellow Laeliocattleya orchids. They have beenvirus and pathogen free during development, both in the originalpopulation of Lc. Veldorado and in the cultivar `Polka`. The plants inthe meristem population of the new variety retain this vigor. The cellsapparently have an even chromosome compliment. This is generallyindicated by the strong uniform growth habit of the plant and uniformgrowth of tissue cultured plants of this cultivar. This is generallyindicative of an even cytology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FLOWER

The outstanding merit of the new variety, in addition to the plant vigorand reliability of bloom is the brilliance and clarity of coloring aswell as shape of the flowers. The richness of coloration of the sepalsand petals is in dramatic contrast to the intense dark maroon purple ofthe shapely lip. What is especially notable is the excellent carriage ofthe flowers with each flower in perfect position on the stem--acharacteristic not always found in yellow Laeliocattleya andBrassolaeliocattleya hybrids. The margins of the petals have moderatewaving which is characteristic in most cattleya hybrids. The sepals havesmooth maginal lines and are erectly carried. (The green spot on the tipof the sepals is indicative of a fresh flower. When the green spotdisappears this is a sign of aging.)

Sepals and petals are clear medium lemon yellow, best identified fromthe British Horticultural Colour Chart, as "a lemon yellow" (LemonB.C.C. 52, Page 4, Vol. II, Swatch 4-4/0). Close horticulturalwell-known examples are Hypericum Calycinum and fruit of the Eurekalemon. The texture of the sepals and petals is sparkling and clear withno overtones or other markings. The flowers hold their color very wellin comparison to others in this line of breeding where the color canoften be transient or fugitive. The attractive labellum is in nicebalance to the sepals and petals. While it is the focal point of theflower, it is in nice harmony. The lip can best be described as large,shapely with side lobes closed well over the column. Throughout most ofits portions it is dark purple, best described as between Peony purpleof the B.H.C.C. Page 95, Swatch 729-1 and 729-0 and Doge Purple, Page96, Swatch 732-1 and 732-0. Horticultural examples are Paeonia Veitchiiand Primula hybrid Wanda. In the throat of the labellum and into theinterior side lobes is a generous veining of lemon yellow of the samecoloration as described above for the sepals and petals. The pollinia inthe subject Lc. Veldorado `Polka` typically of cattleyas is carried onthe tip of the column (sex organ) and cannot be seen as it is containedin the anther sac. The stigmatic cavity on cattleyas is on the tip andunderside of the column which is in the center of the flower in orchids,particularly cattleyas. The ovary of the subject matter is the stem ofthe flower itself which is characteristic indicative of all orchids.Botanically, the term is "inferior" to the flower (below the flower).While Lc. Veldorado `Polka` may be a tetraploid and could be used forfurther breeding its exact chromosome count has not been determined.Therefore, no claim is made in the patent application for a specificgenetic make-up. The propensity of Lc. Veldorado `Polka` to shed pollenand set seed whether selfed or crossed is not set forth. Orchids do not"shed pollen" as they are pollinated via mechanical means only. Innature, insects in the main. In cultivation the waxy pollen istransferred with tweezers and toothpicks. Very rarely is an orchidcleistogamous (self pollinating).

The flowers of the variety are larger and stronger in structure than theaverage cultivar in this line of breeding. The flowers average 5centimeters in petal width with a total span of approximately 121/2centimeters. The new variety can carry as many as 4 flowers on eachspray on a mature, well-grown plant. The petals are flat and wellcarried somewhat forward in contrast to other cultivars of this grex andline of breeding. They are carried without twisting, turning orrecurving. The sepals and petals are in symmetrical balance to the lipand create a good round shape to the flower as a whole.

The blooming season is primarily throughout the summer months well intothe fall. Its flowering can vary according to cultural conditions whereit is grown and sometimes has a midwinter bloom.

The vigor of the cultivar, quality and richness of color of the flowers,freedom of bloom, season and other desirable characteristics of this newcultivar make it of exceptional value for plant sales or commercial cutflower production.

The descriptions for this plant application follow the rules of theInternational Commission of Nomenclature. The handbook of the AmericanOrchid Society Orchidists glossary is used as a reference. Theexceptional vigor of this particular cultivar, excellent bloomingseason, reliability and freedom of bloom are characteristics which setthis particular cultivar above not only the siblings in the grex, butother gregi in this entire line of breeding or other lines of breeding.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety in the hybrid genusLaeliocattlya, as described and illustrated, discovered as a superiorvariety of the grex LC. Veldorado and in particular the cultivar`Polka`, is characterized by a combination of clearness of coloring,superior flower substance, size, shape and further characterized by itsexceptional vigor, reliability of bloom, and lasting qualities and tofurther support the claim of superiority, a plant of this cultivar wasexhibited in England before the Orchid Committee of The RoyalHorticultural Society where it received an Award of Merit with atwo-thirds vote of the Committee who voted this recognition for itssuperior flower quality.